Education briefs

Key School open house

The Key School will hold its annual fall open house from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in the school's Activity Building, 534 Hillsmere Drive in Annapolis. Families interested in learning more about what the school's program offers children in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 are invited. Information: 410-263-9231, keyschool.org or email inquiry@keyschool.org.

Winter classes

Registration begins Thursday, Nov. 8, for winter session classes offered by Anne Arundel Community College at the senior activity centers operated by the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. Classes begin the week of Jan. 7. For a class schedule, go to the senior center you wish to attend or visit aacounty.org/aging on or about Nov. 8 and click on a senior center for its list of courses.

Tuition is waived for those 60 and older, but there is an administrative fee of $80 payable to Anne Arundel Community College. Those ages 55-59 must pay the $80 administrative fee plus $40 per course. A tuition waiver form must be certified by the Social Security Administration to exempt permanently disabled seniors from paying the $40 fee per course, but they are still responsible for the $80 administrative fee.

State architecture awards

Anne Arundel Community College architecture students won both top community college awards presented by the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects for a second consecutive year.

Aida Penafiel of Crofton won first place for Excellence in Hand Delineation for her project, "The Sydney Opera House," and Daniel Reynolds of Crofton won first place for Excellence in Design and Presentation for his project, "The Form of Texture." Christopher Reyes of Crofton received a Jurors Citation in Design and Presentation for his project, "Ecoforms — Assateague National Seashore." Information: aacc.edu/architecture.

Winter sessions

Registration for AACC's winter sessions is under way for the four- and six-week sessions beginning Dec. 17. The two-week session starts Jan. 3. Information and registration: 410-777-2243 or go to aacc.edu/recreg.

Military-friendly

Anne Arundel Community College has been named to the Military-Friendly Schools list for the fourth straight year by Victory Media, a company specializing in military personnel's transition to civilian life. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. Information: aacc.edu/military.

AACC appointments

Kathleen Bolton of Severna Park has been appointed executive director of institutional advancement and the Anne Arundel Community College Foundation Inc. She will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for the Offices of Institutional Advancement and Sponsored Programs, which seek funding through the private and public sectors to enhance the college's offerings.

Gretchen Tomkies of Edgewater has been named director of development, the lead major gift officer for the foundation, which raises funds from individuals, corporations and foundations to support students and college programs.

Debi Mercado of Edgewater has been named director of sponsored programs, leading the college's efforts to secure grants that support students and college programs.

Appointments were effective July 1.

Jump Start classes

Anne Arundel Community College and North County High School are working to bring college courses to the high school's students and the surrounding community. Eligible students are encouraged to enroll in AACC's Jump Start classes this fall at the Arnold campus or at Arundel Mills.

Jump Start classes will be offered at the high school in the spring. In addition, AACC will offer evening classes at North County this fall to help students who are at least 16 years old and have dropped out of high school, and for adults in the community who want to get started in a new career, complete general education requirements or boost their learning skills so they can be successful in college.

Most classes meet one or two nights a week. Sessions include Basic English 1 and 2, Composition and Introduction to Literature 1, Participatory College Reading, The Critical Reader, Business and its Environment and Adult Basic Skills. Other courses are Certification in Sanitation for the hospitality industry and Prep Prax1: Math Skills for Aspiring Teachers. New students enrolling in a credit course must submit an admission application.

Information about tuition, financial aid and academic advising can be found at aacc.edu or by calling 410-777-2222. Students interested in the adult basic skills class should call 410-777-1823 to make an appointment to assess their skills before starting class.

Tuition aid at AACC

Financial aid is still available at Anne Arundel Community College. In addition, the college has a no-fee, interest-free payment plan that allows the cost of tuition be spread throughout a term. Payment plans are also available. For information about financial aid, call 410-888-2203 or go to aacc.edu/aid. Students can also meet with a financial aid representative on a walk-in basis at the Arnold campus, Glen Burnie Town Center, AACC at Arundel Mills or the Fort Meade Army Education Center.

Cybersecurity scholarship

Barrett and Anne McKown of Edgewater have established a $25,000 scholarship fund at Anne Arundel Community College to help offset tuition and educational expenses of county residents who enroll in cyber-related studies. The couple set up the Barrett and Anne McKown Scholarship for Cybersecurity Study as a fund to allow contributions from the community. Preference will go to a U.S. citizen living in Anne Arundel who is attending a cybersecurity studies program, is enrolled full time and has at least a 3.0 GPA. To apply: aacc.edu/aid/scholarships. Those interested in contributing to the fund or establishing scholarships can contact the AACC Foundation Inc.: 410-777-2515, foundation@aacc.edu or aacc.edu/foundation.

Internship program

Anne Arundel Community College invites employers to participate in its internship program. Students from a broad range of disciplines want real-world experience and mentoring from leaders in business, industry, government, and nonprofit agencies and organizations. For information on how the internships work or to offer an internship, contact the college's internship office at aacc.edu/foundation or aacc.edu/internships.

Nursing scholarships

Through 2014, three Anne Arundel Community College nursing students will receive $3,000 scholarships through a program set up by Johns Hopkins HealthCare. The scholarships will benefit county residents enrolled in the college's registered nursing associate's degree program who demonstrate financial need as established by the AACC financial aid office. Information: 410-777-2515 or aacc.edu.